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1790 Roxbury 15th May 6 oCk

Dear Sir
The enclosed has just been handed to
me it speaks for itself better than any thing
I can write--We are here in good health
generally among our particular Friends--but the
Influenza has been very mortal, in the
neighbourhood -- Money is as scarce here
as it was in 1776. Paper is very plenty
and Bills now sell for 5 p Ct below Par
which makes a certain Mr. Coles very pressing
he has not fired me yet but frequently threats
me. I have amused him - his patience will
last I hope as long as we have occasion to
use it--I received the Money by Barnard
my own necessities obliged me to use the
£25.. 0 I could not well help it as
I could borrow of no person. the cursed Bank
stopped discounting --and Trade is in the utmost
embarrassed situation. despair is pictured
on every face I meet -- and we all cry
"When can any Money be got? tell Hindsdale
I have not time to write to him. I hope
some opportunity will offer to forward this
to you--

Your &c
Thomas Williams Junr

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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In this letter, Thomas Williams of Roxbury, Massachusetts, mourns the lack of money noting that it is as scarce in 1790 as it was in 1776. He is concerned that he will be fired because paper money is being sold for 5 per cent below value, and business is very bad. Williams reflects the general economic problems that plagued the country in the years following the American Revolution.

 

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Letter to John Williams

author   Thomas Williams, Jr.
date   May 15, 1790
location   Roxbury, Massachusetts
height   12.75"
width   7.25"
process/materials   manuscript, paper, ink
item type   Personal Documents/Letter
accession #   #L04.025


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See Also...

Letter to Colonel Israel Williams

Letter to Lt. James Stewart

Letter to Williams & Upham


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